Backstory: I never dreamed when I wrote The Japanese Art of Sex: How to tease, seduce and pleasure the samurai in your bedroom, I would be speaking about geisha and performing Japanese dance at La Biennale in Venice, Italy, the oldest and most prestigious cultural arts festival in the world. I also had the opportunity to sign copies of my Harlequin Spice novel, The Blonde Geisha, in Italian: Passioni di una Geisha. Come to Venice with me as I explore the city in my video series: Jina’s Excellent Adventure in Venice, Italy.
Today’s Venice Video Episode: Venice bookstores and gelati shops.
I love bookstores. There’s something magical about finding that intriguing tome that transports you to another time, another place and you’re there. With him. That special man…
And what is more magical than Venice?
I have no doubt everyone in Venice reads. I saw a different bookstore on every corner filled with romances, mysteries and travel books. I’m pleased to say Venetians are also reading my Harlequin Spice novels, which have all been translated into Italian, including Passioni di una geisha (I did a booksigning after my speech at La Biennale).
As any Venetian lady will tell you, when you find that special man, I mean, book, you want to get between the sheets and enjoy every moment. And if it’s a hot summer day, you’ll need a creamy scoop of gelato or Italian ice cream to cool you (and him) off.
I swear Venice has as many gelati shops as it has bookstores. In this Venice video, we’ll explore the bookstores (you’ll see a first edition of “The Picture of Dorian Gray”) and the gelati shops…including my favorite ice cream shop, il Tovaro. Buon Appetito!
Coming up in my next Venice Video: Venice street scenes and performers
February 2010: meet The Blonde Samurai
“She embraced the way of the warrior. Two swords. Two loves.”
Ah, bookstores and gelati. Could there be a better combination?